Proverbs, Part I Instructions & Sayings

Structure I. Introduction1:1-7 II. Instructions on Wisdom1:8-9:18 III. First Collection of Solomonic Sayings10:1-22:16 IV. “Sayings of the Wise”22:17-24:22 V. Further “Sayings of the Wise”24:23-34 VI. Second Solomonic Collection25:1-29:27 VII. Sayings of Agur (& others)30:1-33 VIII. Sayings of Lemuel31:1-9 IX. The Excellent Wife31:10-31

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Proverbs 1:1 –“Proverbs” (mashal-- מָשָׁל ) –Similitude, short saying, instruction, poem, allegory, or riddle

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Premise: The student should recognize that proverbs are by nature a bit anecdotal. A mistake often made by biblical students, teachers, and preachers is transforming proverbs into laws. Proverbs are a guide, rather than a concrete promise.

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs “Proverbs of Solomon” –Statement of Origin –Statement of Collection –Statement of Authority

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Purpose wisdom Prov. 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; prudence To give prudence to the naive, discretion To the youth knowledge and discretion (NASB) Attaining practical wisdom

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Prov. 1:5-6 Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. Purpose Teaching wisdom –“Discipline,” “understanding,” “learning,” and “guidance” suggest the process of learning. –“Proverbs,” “parables,” “saying,” and “riddles.” --Riddles: PS 49:4 “I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle.”

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Purpose Prov. 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity. (NASB) Living moral lives –“Right” ( צֶ ֡ דֶק ), “just” ( מִשְׁפַּט ), and “fair” (from יָשַׁר )

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Audience PR 1:4-5 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- “The simple” or “naïve” — –easily led astray and confused “The youth” –Lacked experience and training “The wise” and “the understanding” –still growing & learning

1:1-7—Intro. to Proverbs Prov. 1:7 fear of the LORD The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (ESV) Developing a strong foundation (1:7) –The center of character is in his or her relation to God. And for Proverbs, that proper relationship is “fear,” submission, humility, reverence, and the “acknowledgement that all wisdom is divinely generated” (W. Brown, Character in Crisis, 1996, 28-29).

Instructions for leaving home 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 1:10-16—Do not stray PR 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in. PR 1:15-16 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.

Instructions for leaving home 1:17-19—Self-destruction PR 1:18-19 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Instructions for finding wisdom 2:1-11 is a call to find wisdom. PR 2:1-4 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

Instructions for finding wisdom 2:1-11 is a call to find wisdom. –It is an all-out search! Why? PR 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. PR 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. PR 2:11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. PR 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:1-5—A call to cling to wisdom & understanding. – 1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; – 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; – 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:5— Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend ” (ESV). –“Sister” and “intimate friend” And call understanding your intimate friend (NASB); and call understanding your kinsman (NIV); call insight your intimate friend (NRSV), From yada’ ( יָדַע ), “know” = “lover”?

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:5 to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words (ESV). –Lit., strange/alien and foreign/alien women. –She tempts with her “smooth/slippery words.”

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:6-23—An example of failure PR 7:21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels (“impels”?) him (ESV).

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:6-23—An example of failure PR 7:22-23 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose like a bird darting into a snare, till an arrow pierces his liver, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Warning against the Evil Woman 7:24-27—A final plea 7:26-27 “Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave (Sheol), leading down to the chambers of death.” Ugaritic: “Anath plunges knee-deep in the blood of knights/hip deep in the gore of heroes.”

Warning against the Evil Woman What answer exists to this evil woman? –Wisdom & understanding.

Warning against the Evil Woman The modern temptress?!

Warning against the Evil Woman The modern temptress?!

Warning against the Evil Woman The modern temptress?!

Warning against the Evil Woman Why do we give in?

Warning against the Evil Woman Why do we give in?

Warning against the Evil Woman Why do we give in?

Warning against the Evil Woman How do we avoid giving in?

Warning against the Evil Woman How do we avoid giving in?

Warning against the Evil Woman How do we avoid giving in?

8:1-36: Speech of Lady Wisdom 8:10-11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, Knowledge rather than choice gold, For wisdom is more precious than rubies, And nothing you desire can compare with her. 8:12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

8:1-36: Speech of Lady Wisdom 8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 8:21 Bestowing wealth on those who love me And making their treasuries full.

8:22-31 Wisdom & Creation –8: The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. –He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.... He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Col. 1:15, 17).

8:22-31 Wisdom & Creation –8:30—“I was the craftsman at his side.” –By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew (3:19-20). –“By him all things were created, …all things were created by him and for him” (Col. 1:16). –“We preach Christ crucified: … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23-24). Wisdom & understanding were the basis for creation.

8: Wisdom & Life me me“Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” (Deut. 30:19-20) “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.... But you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)